Selecting Your SolidWorks CAD Software

If you have decided on introducing CAD software to your business, then let me tell you that it is an outstanding decision that you have taken. Maybe you have realized that your current software does not help your business anymore or whatever the reason is, the implementation of CAD technology into your CNC machine workflow process can bring a significant improvement in producing perfect parts while not compromising with the quality at all.

SolidWorks CAD is a quality design product that offers highly advanced design and innovation solutions. You will find dozens of software packages available, and it is essential that you determine what would be the best option for you.

The first thing you are suggested to do is prepare a list of your objectives that you need to accomplish. Consider your workflow to narrow your choices, so that you pick up the best-suited software package based on their importance to your business.

Industry

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You may find a need for having software that is suitable for multiple industries, but the main purpose of your software should be to support the one main industry while supporting others. For instance, if your main industry is mechanical design, you may need software that supports thermal, fluid or electric simulators.

Geometry Type

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3D is undoubtedly common and popular everywhere, but that does not mean that you cannot consider 2D, as it is also one of the most widely used. So, find out what your specific needs are, and then choose the geometry type of SolidWorks CAD.

File Format

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Every software comes with its unique native file format. Additionally, each software has some translators that allow them to get converted from their proprietary file format to other or vice versa.  This could be done directly or by using a standard translator (IGES, STEP). A software package like SolidWorks is extremely good in what it does and is used as a platform to 3rd party specialty programs.

Price

Price becomes one of the major concerns when it comes to choosing CAD software. Buying the software is not the only purchase you will make as there would also be some other expenses included, like maintenance, support, training, upgrades, etc.

It is important that the SolidWorks reseller you are choosing should be able to provide you support and training services for the software purchased, as there is no benefit of buying less expensive software that you cannot get support for.

By keeping the points mentioned above in mind, you can begin your quest of searching the best CAD software for your industry. If you have decided about purchasing a particular SolidWorks Cad software, then you can look for a reputed vendor.

It does not matter whether the SolidWorks reseller is new or veteran in the market, it will provide you with the same software. What varies is the training and support services it offers for the product you are buying from a particular provider. You can go for an online search and can locate a renowned company that has a good experience in offering SolidWorks software plus its related services. 

A Rough Overview of SolidWorks Software

Earlier, the hand created technical drawings were greatly used for conveying design specifications for transforming an illustration into a physical form.

With the debut of the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software programs in the market, it has eliminated the need of drafters to a greater extent.

The immense popularity of personal computers made the engineers, designers, and architects do their drafting work with efficacy.

In the present scenario, any designing work whether it may be a model of car, perfume bottles or any other object their layout is prepared using CAD.

The best example of CAD program for preparing virtual 3D models is “SolidWorks.”

Now-a-day, millions of designers, rely on this advanced technology for bringing the innovative and efficient product in the market for a better future.

The user-friendly interface has reasonably eased the design process leading to productive results.

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What are SolidWorks?

Introduced in 1995, this professional grade program runs on Microsoft Windows and covers every aspect of the product development.

SolidWorks software is intuitive and simple to get your hands on. The use of standard conventions like toolbars, icons, menus makes this software relatively easy to use.

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Features:

• Advanced display control functions
•  Customizable shortcut menus
•  Instant 3D designing

How Is Designing Done with SolidWorks Software?

• Initially, the 2D representation is prepared which resembles like a geometric sketch that contains points, lines, and arcs.
• For specifying the size and location, the dimensions are applied.
• For defining attributes, relations are used. For instance, if any part needs to be parallel
• The combination of relations and attributes builds the perfect geometry and this process termed as a parametric feature-based approach for the model creation.

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Why SolidWorks Software for Product Designing?

Before the introduction of SolidWorks, the design process was quite slow. The product designs were prepared on a paper and based on that; the prototypes were created for testing.

This process was an utter failure as it consumes time and requires more humanitarian efforts.

With SolidWorks, the users can easily perform the testing and simulation multiple times virtually. This incredible feature of rollback to the development of the design for modification is simply awesome.

Moreover, when the design has been tested and assembled digitally, SolidWorks software provides different tools which will automate the entire task of drawing.

It is safe to say that the SolidWorks software has dramatically reduced the time invested in design and testing.

To be precise, the SolidWorks software has come out as a savior for many designing industries as it helps in maximizing engineering productivity, thus leading to better design inventions.

That is an end to the basics of the SolidWorks software which you should know!

If you are planning to buy SolidWorks software, then this piece of writing will surely be going to help you in a better way.

Also, you can search online for getting the best software at a budget-friendly price.

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5 Incredible Benefits of SolidWorks Simulation

SolidWorks simulation lets the designers ensure the quality and performance of a product design before proceeding towards the production stage.

With the availability of comprehensive analysis tools, you can easily test model digitally for acquiring the insights of the designing process.

It is safe to say that the SolidWorks simulation technology comes as a boon for the product designers.

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Let’s dig deep into the merits of the SolidWorks simulation for getting a better understanding of this technology.

 Intuitive Technology- Simple to Learn & Master

With the presence of SolidWorks simulation tools, it aids the designers at any stage of product development.

The workflows, naming conventions, and commands are fully integrated into the design environment of SolidWorks to guide the designers with every footstep, thus satisfying their analysis needs.

Leveraged by speedy and accurate solvers, the simulation process helps you to solve the tricky design problems instantly.

 Powerful Design Insights

Beyond ease of use, the SolidWorks simulation is beneficial at the time of the geometry modification as it quickly studies the changes done in the design process and notifies you when the re-calculation is required to be done.

As the design progressed, the product reliability is guaranteed.

Without halting your daily designing task, the simulation solvers keep running in the background. All you have to do is set up the analysis and let the SolidWorks tools do the calculation of the results as you perform detailing of the drawings.

 Highly Optimized for Speed & Accuracy

As your components vary in shape and size, keeping that point into consideration; SolidWorks simulation tools are designed to accept a wide range of geometry.

For welded structure, thin and thick-walled parts, special mesh allows you test them with efficacy and in a more optimized way. Furthermore, SolidWorks simulation software fully understands different types of connection like bolts, pins, and welds.

The symmetric 3D assembly representation can be simplified to 2D for reducing the overall solving time and giving more apt solutions.

 Eliminate Prototype Requirement

With the SolidWorks simulation technology, the designers can easily conduct physical tests digitally which includes fluid motion, thermal, vibrations, impact, and durability. Sizing of welds and bolted connections inspection can be easily done.

Now, you can easily validate all the aspects of designing by running multiple studies simultaneously. The designers can freely test the new ideas which promote innovation with zero risks involved.

Needless to mention that the introduction of the simulation technique has eradicated the need for physical prototypes.

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Empowers Clear Communication

Information drives great results if presented correctly and clearly. SolidWorks simulation technology represents results graphically, and it has some great tools which facilitate to focus on key areas for getting a gist of the performance trends.

The robust reporting metric tools allow you to share results with the people involved in the product designing.

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That is not an end to the benefits which SolidWorks simulation offers; you can find more on the internet.

Planning to buy SolidWorks software? Surf online to get the best option!

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How to create custom weldments?

Creating Custom SolidWorks Weldments

Not all weldments are created equally.  The standard library is a good starting point, however some profiles may not be properly dimensioned and some profiles that you need might not exist in the library.  This tutorial will show you how to create your own custom profile and insert it into the SolidWorks Library.

Suppose you need a weldment in the shape of a hexagon.  Your first step is to sketch the profile (as per below Figure 1). Please bear in mind that the origin will be the default point of extrusion for the weldment. 

 Figure 1:

Once you are satisfied with your sketch, select the sketch from the feature manager design tree, go to File > Save As.  Under “Save as type” select “Lib Feat Part”, give it a file name and save (as per Figure 2). The next step is to find your weldment profile library.  This can be done by going to Tools > Options.  Under the System Options Tab, select “File Locations”.  Under “Show folders for”, scroll down to “Weldment Profiles” and note the folder location as shown.

Figure 2:

Place a copy of the custom weldment profile into the Weldment Profiles location (as per Figure 3). 

Figure 3:

**Important** Maintain the file structure or create a new one since SolidWorks uses these file structures to designate their drop down boxes.  For example a standard profile library would look as follows:

…\weldment profiles\iso\angle\ [Weldment profile file]

You may insert your profile under the same file structure, in this case we have created (as per figure 4):

…\weldment profiles\Custom Profiles\Special 1\ [Weldment profile file]

Figure 4:

Once you have placed your custom weldment profile in place you will be able to use it like any other weldment profile (as per figure 5).

Figure 5: